MORE than 200 jobs are set to be axed amid sweeping cutbacks at a meat processing plant.

Staff at Welsh Country Foods in Gaerwen, Anglesey, were yesterday told around 200 jobs were “at risk” among the plant’s 444-strong workforce.

The factory, owned by Dutch firm Vion, said the cutbacks were needed because of declining demand for lamb.

Last night staff, unions and civic leaders expressed their disappointment and vowed to fight the plans.

One worker said: “It’s a kick in the teeth after we helped the company get through a very difficult year. We accepted a pay freeze and reduced our hours hoping this would save jobs. We were wrong and we’re angry.”

Paddy McNaught, of Unite union, said: “Staff are naturally upset. They showed the company considerable loyalty last year and we will mount a campaign to persuade Vion to reconsider the restructuring to show the same degree of loyalty.”

Ynys Môn MP Albert Owen urged Vion to suspend its plans and enter into meaningful talks with the staff.

He said: “Job losses are the last thing we need here on Anglesey. All steps must be taken to keep jobs here. Indeed I have been calling for the Assembly to give special assistance specifically to the island.

Mr Owen said he was prepared to meet with management, unions and representatives of the workforce to offer support.

Anglesey AM and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones added: “I am very disappointed and will be meeting with the company to discuss how we can help.”

North Wales Tory AM Brynle Williams said the move shows “the fragility of the red meat market in Wales”. He said: “

“Anglesey is haemorrhaging jobs and there is a desperate need for reinvestment by the government to bring stability to the economy.”

The plans were also greeted with dismay by farmers leaders. Aeron Prysor Jones, chairman of the Farmers’ Union of Wales livestock committee, described the plans as a “highly disappointing development”.

But Mr Jones also expressed relief that the lamb slaughtering facility at the plant would remain operational.

“The loss of more than 200 jobs at (the) plant would be a serious blow for the island’s economy, but we are heartened that they will keep the slaughtering facility open

“We hope the economic climate will improve sufficiently for the Anglesey plant to return to a higher level of operation in the future.”

NFU Cymru vice-president Ed Bailey added: “It comes on the back of significant job losses on the island in 2009, and we are particularly concerned at the knock on impact these redundancies.”

Vion Red Meat Business Unit managing director Jose Peralta said there was a reduced demand for lamb and the firm needed “to better match capacity with demand”. Part of the restructuring involves moving the retail packing operation from Gaerwen to Winsford, Cheshire.

Mr Peralta said: “Operating within an increasingly competitive and increasingly demanding marketplace, we must continually look to optimising our production facilities.

“We regret the need for these proposed changes announced and have informed our employees and their Union representatives of our commitment to consult with them.”

He added the company will be consulting with those affected to explore ways of avoiding redundancies, including transfers to other businesses within the wider company.